Position breakdown: Seahawks, Broncos meet in Super Bowl XLVIII

January 29, 2014 5:22 PM

The Seahawks and Broncos take the field Sunday in what is one of the most anticipated matchups in recent Super Bowl history. Both conferences’ top seeds meet in a true test of strength-on-strength: The Broncos’ record-setting offense against the Seahawks’ shutdown D.

There shouldn’t be many surprises in what each team tries to accomplish with its game plan. The Broncos, led by future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, will throw the ball to a talented, four-headed receiving corps against Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” secondary, while the Hawks will attempt to establish Marshawn Lynch and the ground game against a Denver defense weakened by injuries.

Which talented roster has the upper hand heading into the colossal matchup? We broke down every position group in Sunday’s game and weighed in. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments section below.

Seattle’s Russell Wilson has enjoyed a brilliant start to his career, racking up more wins and touchdown passes than any player in his first two NFL seasons, but he simply hasn’t looked like a world-beater down the stretch.

Meanwhile, Manning has put together the best statistical season of any quarterback in NFL history, passing for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns – both NFL records. He picked apart New England in the AFC championship game to the tune of 400 yards and two touchdowns on 32-of-43 passing.

Lynch’s punishing running style and “Beast Mode” persona gives the Hawks' offense an identity. That’s especially true in the playoffs, where Lynch has racked up 560 yards and six touchdowns – including five of 15 yards or longer -- in six career appearances for Seattle.

Former first-round pick Knowshon Moreno finally broke out in his fifth season, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for the first time in his career. He’s also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, snagging 60 receptions for 548 yards and three touchdowns this year.

The Seahawks' wideouts – Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse – are an underrated group who seem to play their best in the clutch, and the addition of a healthy Percy Harvin brings a game-breaking element to the bunch. Tight end Zach Miller adds a red-zone threat.

In fourth-year pro Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos have an elite combination of speed, size and skill. Add Eric Decker on the opposite side of the field, slot receiver extraordinaire Wes Welker and emerging tight end Julius Thomas, and you have quite possibly the best assortment of receiving talent in the NFL.

The Seahawks' line struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout the season, meaning that Wilson is under duress more than just about any other quarterback in the league. The team is still experimenting with its left guard position, platooning James Carpenter and Paul McQuistan in the NFC championship game after rookie Michael Bowie started in the divisional round against New Orleans.

After All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady went down with a season-ending injury in September, many predicted a disaster on Manning’s blindside, but fourth-year pro Chris Clark has played extremely well in relief. Guard Louis Vasquez turned in an All-Pro season of his own in his first season in the Mile High City.

Offensive line
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Defensive line

The Seahawks' front is finally starting to get the notoriety it deserves heading into Sunday’s game, but it’s usually coming out of the mouths of better-known defensive teammates. Still, the group – comprised of ends Cliff Avril, Michael Bennet, Red Bryant and Chris Clemons and tackles Brandon Mebane, Tony McDaniel and Clinton McDonald – is one of the deepest in the league.

The Broncos' line has been decimated by injuries to All-Pro Von Miller (35 sacks in 40 career starts), and fellow starters in end Derek Wolfe and tackle Kevin Vickerson. The acquisitions of Shaun Phillips (10 sacks this season) and Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton have helped soften the blow.

Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner is the standout of Seattle’s linebackers, well-rounded and with a penchant for making the spectacular play. Outside ‘backer K.J. Wright should be full strength after returning from injury against San Francisco, where backup Malcolm Smith sealed the win with his late-game INT (courtesy of Richard Sherman).

The Broncos' linebackers are a mostly anonymous group, led by veteran Wesley Woodyard, who splits time in the middle with 12th-year man Paris Lenon. On the outside, Danny Trevathan has emerged in his second season out of Kentucky, leading the team in tackles, while Nate Irving holds down the strong side.

The Legion of Boom is the best defensive backfield in the NFL, and possibly one of the greatest in league history. Richard Sherman talks a good game and plays a better one, Byron Maxwell has earned his place as a bona fide starter in the league, Earl Thomas patrols the secondary like an outfielder, and Kam Chancellor brings the wood.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but Denver’s secondary has suffered more than its fair share of hardships. Cornerback Chris Harris and safety Rahim Moore won’t play after sustaining season-ending injuries, and the Broncos will rely on youngsters Kayvon Webster and Duke Ihenacho in their stead.

Secondary
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Special Teams

Steven Hauschka enjoyed a stellar season, successfully converting 33 of his 35 field goal attempts, but doesn’t have a lot of experience kicking in the cold. Punter Jon Ryan specializes in not allowing returns by the opposition. Tate is one of the most dangerous punt returners in the league, while Harvin could provide a spark to an otherwise average kick-return unit.

Second-team All-Pro kicker Matt Prater hit a 64-yard field goal against Tennessee in Week 14, and only missed one attempt all season long. Britton Colquitt handles punting duties. Trindon Holliday is downright dangerous, scoring touchdowns on both kick and punt returns this year. He has shown a propensity to muff punts, however, so don’t be surprised if the Broncos insert Welker or Decker in that role.

After four years in charge, Pete Carroll has succeeded in turning around the Seahawks franchise – with a big assist to GM John Schneider. Carroll won two AP national titles at USC, so he certainly brings that championship-game experience to the matchup, even though Super Bowl XLVIII represents his first attempt at bringing home the Lombardi Trophy.

John Fox has gone 34-14 in three season in Denver. Trading up from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning certainly helped, but Fox has proven to be a steadying influence in charge of the Broncos. In nine years at the helm in Carolina, Fox put up a just-above-average record of 73-71, though he did take the 2003 squad to Super Bowl XXXVIII – narrowly losing to the New England Patriots two years after the Panthers went 1-15.